My philosophy about nutrition has radically changed since I first lost weight back in 2009. I lost it by counting calories, but ate a lot of processed foods that I thought were healthy back then. I learned about clean eating a couple years ago and it has radically changed how I eat.

I honestly just recently stopped counting calories because it was taking over my whole life and became an obsession. It was not a healthy obsession either. I fully believe that we should not eat more food than we need (although I often want to because I LOVE food haha), but the calorie thing just drove me crazy.

All calories are not created equally. I could eat 5 chicken breasts for about 500 calories (I would throw up if I ate that much and could not do it, this is just an example) or I could eat 2 big cupcakes 500 calories. Which one is going to keep me fuller for longer and which has more nutritional and health benefits? I think you know the answer.

So, my philosophy is to eat when you are hungry and stop when you are full. Eat foods that make you feel good and be mindful of how each thing you eat makes you feel. If it makes you feel sluggish or sick, listen to that. It’s your body’s way of telling you what it needs to thrive. I eat clean 98% of the time, but believe in a cheat meal or a couple of treats throughout the week. Otherwise you will go insane. And like I said, I do not count calories.

I have struggled with binge eating over the last couple of years because I tried to follow too strict of diets that eliminated like everything known to mankind. So my tips to overcome binge eating would be:

Don’t restrict anything from your diet unless you have a severe allergy or medical reason for you to do so

Practice everything in moderation

Treat YO SELF!

Find a healthy replacement for when you’re craving (I love to have a coffee or drink La Croix flavored sparkling waters when I want to binge)

Keep yourself busy and keep your body moving and you won’t have time to think of everything you’re craving

Hope this helps my friends! I know the struggle, and the struggle is REAL! Nutrition is the hardest battle, but if I can overcome it anyone can!